dotinthesky: (Default)
Dot in the Sky ([personal profile] dotinthesky) wrote2011-02-16 06:32 pm

Week Off


Broadway Market
Originally uploaded by Marco Carboni
I'm on annual leave this week and I'm lovin' it. I feel a little bit like I'm on the dole, hanging out in libraries during the day with angry teenagers (who break my heart by mistaking me for someone's father) then going for canal walks that end in Hackney cafés. It makes me wonder what all these people I see hanging about do for a living if they are not stuck in offices or schools.

Some filming was taking place at the end of Broadway Market this afternoon, outside that pub facing London Fields. A car "smashed" against a street light, film crew hidden behind it with a machine that faked motor vapour and Charlotte Rampling standing around. It must be for the film I, Anna, "a noir thriller told from the point of view of a femme fatale, who falls for the detective in charge of a murder case." Also stars Gabriel Byrne. One to watch out for!

[livejournal.com profile] wink_martindale and I were on our way to the London Fields Radio when we saw this scene. The London Fields Radio has a podcast (I still need to check out) and is situated inside a coffee shop. It was our first time visiting it. It's a small place with wooden boxes underneath the seats which you pull out to use as a table and prints by local artists on the walls. Surprisingly busy for a gray Wednesday afternoon threatening East London with rain.

I spent this morning reading the delicious adventures of Erast Fandorin while correcting NaNoWriMo stuff from two years ago. I'm also working on a crime story for a competition by Brent Libraries. The winner gets a free creative writing course with Birkbeck College. I thought it might be fun to give it a go because you have to create a story based on the first paragraph given by Norwegian writer Camilla Ceder:

In theory, Margaret had functioned well as his partner. She was a faded beauty who had once been a celebrated singer. It would not have hurt for her to drink less.

What would you do with that opening? If you fancy having a go, here are more details on the competition.

[identity profile] bender772.livejournal.com 2011-02-16 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
There is nothing worse than when a teen says "sir" to you. Although, I guess it is a good thing he was so unexpectedly polite. But, it just made me feel so old.

The context he did this in was in a computer class where we were both students.

[identity profile] commonpeople.livejournal.com 2011-02-17 12:28 pm (UTC)(link)
With me, it was far from polite! The two boys were sort of fighting (one was picking on the other) and when I looked up to see what they were doing the one said to the other "Is that your dad?"

"No!"

[identity profile] norabird.livejournal.com 2011-02-17 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
ohhhh good first lines.

[identity profile] amberholic.livejournal.com 2011-02-17 10:17 am (UTC)(link)
I'm jealous of your week off around London although I've booked mine for the week after the next and can't wait.

We should catch up! I don't think we've met up in about a year!

[identity profile] commonpeople.livejournal.com 2011-02-17 12:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd love to catch up! The last time we hung out was... at that fundraiser at the start of last year!

What would you be into? A club night? A movie? A coffee?

[identity profile] amberholic.livejournal.com 2011-02-17 01:17 pm (UTC)(link)
A movie or coffee sounds good to me!

[identity profile] commonpeople.livejournal.com 2011-02-18 09:22 am (UTC)(link)
Any films out or coming soon you fancy seeing?

[identity profile] amberholic.livejournal.com 2011-02-18 11:59 am (UTC)(link)
I haven't seen the King's Speech yet but you've probably seen it already. Otherwise, I'm happy with just about anything. I wouldn't mind seeing Love and Other Drugs if it's still on so I can oggle Jake Gyllenhaal's nakedness.

[identity profile] commonpeople.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 03:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Love and Other Drugs sounds fine. Should we see if it's still out during the week you are off? Or will you be traveling?

[identity profile] amberholic.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not going anywhere so yeah, I'll see if it's still on somewhere.

[identity profile] millionreasons.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:33 am (UTC)(link)
Ooh, Wilton's is nice. I like the avocado on toast.

[identity profile] commonpeople.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 10:46 am (UTC)(link)
I liked it too. Do you know if that back garden is theirs? Are they going to do anything with it? It's got potential.

[identity profile] millionreasons.livejournal.com 2011-02-20 03:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I know not, I'm afraid.

quote request

(Anonymous) 2011-03-08 06:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi,

My name is Shy and I'm a post-graduate journalism student. My group is putting together a newspaper and website that will launch this week.

I am writing an article about I, Anna being filmed in Hackney - could I use your entry as a quote (or you could send me something else?) If willing, could you email me your full name, age, and which area you live in.

My email address is shyamalie@gmail.com.

Cheers!
Shy